Smiles for Life: Whitening Teeth, Brightening Children's Futures Worldwide

The Smiles for Life campaign, the charitable arm of The Crown Council alliance of leading dentists worldwide, has launched its 29th annual fundraising initiative from March 1 to June 30, 2026, offering patients a unique opportunity to enhance their smiles while supporting children's health charities globally. This innovative program allows individuals to schedule teeth whitening treatments with a Crown Council dentist nationwide during the campaign period, or teeth straightening treatments anytime, with participating dentists generously donating their time and expertise. The campaign has raised over $51 million since its inception in 1998, making it dentistry's most successful charity, and unites dentists, patients, and corporate partners to benefit seriously ill, disabled, and underprivileged children through both local and international programs.

Strategic partnerships are crucial to the campaign's success, with longstanding partner Ultradent Products, Inc., maker of Opalescence tooth whitening systems, donating 100% of the whitening materials, ensuring that the entire cost of each treatment goes directly to the Smiles for Life Foundation. Similarly, the campaign partners with Tréz clear aligners for teeth straightening treatments, with a portion of each treatment's cost donated to the foundation. Fifty percent of the proceeds benefit global children's health initiatives in countries like the Dominican Republic, Nepal, Bolivia, and Guatemala, while the remaining 50% stays in each member dentist's local community, allowing dentists to select their beneficiary charity of choice. The foundation also maintains a strong partnership with the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, supporting Child Life Zones in children's hospitals across the United States.

Greg Anderson, director of the Crown Council, emphasized the campaign's dual impact, stating, "We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to do good simply by having teeth whitened or straightened." Since 1998, Smiles for Life dentists have supported over 600 local children's charities, increasing access to dental care and improving health and wellness worldwide. Patients interested in participating can visit https://smilesforlife.org/ for more information or click here to locate a Crown Council dentist in their area, combining personal dental care with meaningful charitable giving.